Tag: National Park Service

Grant’s Christmas Present to the Nation

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Most of us probably assume that Christmas Day has always been a holiday in the U.S., even during colonial days. Not so – it wasn’t until 1870 that December 25 was proclaimed a national holiday. And we have President Ulysses S. Grant to thank for that official declaration.

Early Americans’ observance of Christmas depended on where you lived. The Dutch colonists in New York celebrated the day, as did the British in Virginia. But many Puritans in New England looked upon Christmas as a pagan festival; in many communities, including Boston, it was actually a crime to celebrate on Dec. 25. The strict and pious Puritans disapproved of the drinking, feasting, and dancing associated with Christmas, regarding it instead as a muted, solemn affair more appropriate for church services and praying.  

1659 public notice banning Christmas celebrations in Boston 

In the early 1800s, Christmas became increasingly popular in the South, and newly arrived European immigrants in New England managed to lift the local bans on celebrating the holiday. A number of states (beginning with Louisiana in 1830) declared Dec. 25 a holiday. Families started sending Christmas cards, decorating fir trees, and preparing festive meals.

Early American Christmas card, 1850

During the Civil War, soldiers celebrated by decorating their camp trees and singing carols. During the first year of the war President Lincoln and his family observed the day by holding a Christmas party at the White House.

Thomas Nast illustration of Abraham Lincoln welcoming Confederates to Christmas dinner, 1864  

It wasn’t long before business leaders became frustrated with the patchwork holiday celebrations that varied state by state, interrupting their businesses on different days in different places. They encouraged politicians to formalize the Christmas observance nationwide.  

In June 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill into law establishing Christmas Day and New Years Day, among others, as nationally observed holidays. In addition to appeasing the business community, it was hoped the move would help unify a nation still divided by the Civil War. 

To honor Grant’s historic act, Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site has created a special Christmas exhibit in the park’s museum. Artifacts on display include holiday letters from Julia Dent Grant to family members, seasonal political cartoons, and a nutcracker representing Grant. The exhibit will last through early January.

You’ll also want to visit the park at 5:30 Sunday December 14 to experience White Haven by Candlelight. Lights and decorations will adorn the historic house both inside and out, carolers and musicians will entertain guests, and 19th century foods will be on hand. At 7:00, visitors can enjoy a concert by the Buckhhannon Brothers in the park’s theater.

🎁 Gift Giving Made Easy 🎁

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Stuck on what to give friends and family members this holiday season? If any of your loved ones are national parks lovers, history buffs, or outdoors enthusiasts, we’ve got you covered. We offer a wide range of keepsakes and products from our partner parks that are sure to please even the pickiest person on your gift list.

Our national parks are well represented in our ornament collection. We offer two versions honoring Gateway Arch National Park:  the 2025 ornament commemorates the re-opening of the Old Courthouse, while our 2026 version features a stunning three-dimensional rendering of the Arch entrance.  

A dreamy scene of historic White Haven on a snowy night would be a perfect ornament for fans of Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.

To honor the groundbreaking desegregation history at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, we offer this handsome ornament featuring four layers of cutout wood. 

The boyhood home of Bill Clinton is hand painted on our beautifully detailed glass ornament from the President Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site, while our 3D wooden ornament from Voyageurs National Park features a more rustic design.

Coffee and tea drinkers on your list would enjoy this attractive pottery mug from Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park.   

And for those who’ll be venturing outdoors this winter, how about this cozy hoodie featuring the name of Missouri National Recreational River or this jaunty knitted beanie from Voyageurs?

If you or someone you know is a fan of the iconic Gateway Arch, you’ll want to snap up one of our commemorative items honoring the 60th anniversary of the monument’s completion. These keepsakes are available for only a limited time, so don’t delay!

And finally, let’s not forget the littlest national park fans. We offer a wide range of fun and educational products for kids of all ages, including glow-in-the-dark shirts, books, puzzles, and water bottles. One of our most popular and unique toys is our new Gateway Arch teddy bear that kids can personalize with our washable markers. He’d look adorable under the tree.

To make your holiday shopping easier, you can order all of these products from our online store. Just be sure to get your order in no later than December 17 to make sure your gift arrives before Christmas.

The First to Inhabit Voyageurs National Park

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November is Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the traditions, histories, and cultures of Indigenous American communities across the country. What a fitting time to honor the original inhabitants of what is now Voyageurs National Park.

(Courtesy Eli Bennett)

People have occupied the lands in northern Minnesota as far back as 10,000 years ago. Small family groups of Paleo-Indians entered the region as the waters of the vast glacial Lake Agassiz receded. These were nomadic hunter-gatherers who made use of the abundant resources the lakes and forests provided. They followed the migrating game, fished the rivers and lakes, and collected edible and medicinal plants.  

Tribal women harvesting wild rice

As time went on, the Native Americans increased their reliance on local wild rice, which once grew in abundance along the lake shores. They particularly valued this nutritious food source because it could be stored for later use during the difficult winters. Because the people didn’t have to travel so often in search of game, they could adopt a somewhat more sedentary lifestyle.

(Courtesy NPS)

It was during this so-called Woodland Period (100 CE to 900 CE) that the Indigenous populations began using ceramic materials to create arrowheads and projectile weapon points. Samples of these tools have been found at hundreds of archeological sites within the park’s boundaries, giving researchers a window into the lives of these long-gone people.

Ojibwe in Minnesota

When Europeans first arrived in the Midwest in the mid-1600s, they encountered several different Indigenous groups living in Minnesota. European settlements on the East Coast had forced some tribes west, including the Chippewa (also called the Ojibwe), the primary American Indian group who wound up occupying present-day Voyageurs National Park. National Park Service archeologists have pieced together the daily lives of the Bois Forte people, the main Chippewa group, who left evidence of their lives from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Ojibwe willingly traded with the newly arrived Europeans, both with the settlers and with the French-Canadian “voyageurs” who navigated the area’s waterways in the 1700s and 1800s for the fur trade (and for whom the national park is named). The tribes supplied the newcomers with furs and with vital supplies like food, fish, and canoes. 

There was also a significant cultural exchange between the two groups. Many Europeans adopted Native American diets as well as some aspects of their semi-nomadic lifestyle, while both groups sometimes celebrated holidays together. 

Structures on the eastern portion of Chief Wooden Frog Island in 1913 (Courtesy NPS)

By the mid-1800s, the Bois Forte Chippewa numbered about 600 to 1,000 people. But contact with Europeans ultimately brought sweeping changes to their society, as the white settlers introduced new lifestyles, ideas, technologies, and even deadly diseases. Treaties in 1854 and 1866 ultimately stripped the Bois Forte of two million acres of their homeland, which was coveted by timber companies. Dams built to facilitate logging had destroyed the vast wild rice beds of the local watershed. 

Logging operations in Minnesota, 1895 (Courtesy Library of Congress)

Gradually, the local Ojibwe moved to the Nett Lake reservation. By the 1930s, only a few scattered groups of Bois Forte people lived in the park permanently, though larger numbers returned seasonally for blueberry picking and other harvesting. Despite the decimation of their society, the tribe never warred with the white settlers

Bois Forte canoes on Namakan Lake, possibly hauling blueberries in early 20th century (Courtesy NPS)

Today, it’s hard to find evidence of the Bois Forte Chippewa within Voyageurs National Park; only a few locations bear names that reference the tribe’s presence. And yet, a number of modern Native American nations continue to have connections to the area. The park staff is collaborating with a variety of Tribal governments to better involve them in the stewardship of the park. This past summer, the NPS and the Voyageurs Conservancy hosted a series of workshops to help integrate Tribal knowledge into park management, stewardship, interpretation, and education.

Help the Arch Celebrate a Glorious 60 Years

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The Gateway Arch is celebrating its 60th anniversary and you’re invited to be part of the celebration! Sixty years ago on October 28, 1965, the final keystone piece was laid at the top of the monument, joining the two curving stainless steel legs of the 630-foot structure. Once that important triangular piece was inserted, the Arch soared into history as a symbol of Thomas Jefferson’s vision of westward expansion. And it took its place as the tallest manmade monument in the U.S.

To commemorate this historic event, starting tomorrow Gateway Arch National Park will host three days of fun – and free! – crafts, musical performances, and activities. (The park has temporarily reopened until November 2 despite the government shutdown.)  

Highlights include:

  • Visits from some of the Arch builders, men who helped construct the Arch 60 years ago, who will autograph posters for visitors and reminisce about their contributions to the building of the monument
  • A fireworks display under the Arch
  • A performance by the Marching Eagles band from Columbia (IL) High School
  • Performances by the St. Louis Arches, the high-flying acrobats from Circus Harmony
  • Children’s craft activities, including building the “Arch” with giant blocks, getting a (washable) Arch tattoo, posing as an Arch builder or park ranger, and signing a giant birthday card.
  • A visit by St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird, as well as other local team mascots.

And for the lucky ones who purchase a ticket on the Tram Ride to the Top on October 28, you’ll become an exclusive member of the Tram Ride to the Top Club, entitling you to a special certificate. We highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance as they are expected to sell out. 

It’s not often we get to commemorate a milestone anniversary of the completion of one of the world’s most iconic monuments. JNPA is proud to have led the collaborative private effort to temporarily reopen Gateway Arch National Park even in the face of the current government shutdown, enabling this birthday celebration to take place. We hope visitors take this opportunity to visit the Arch and Old Courthouse while it remains open through November 2.

If you can’t stop by for a visit, you can still honor the Arch anniversary with one of our commemorative 60th anniversary products, available from our online store. Show your love for the Arch and help support your favorite park!

A Most Skilled Horseman

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Many of our U.S. presidents were accomplished horsemen. George Washington was known as the “finest horseman of his age;” Thomas Jefferson rode nearly every day until late in life; Andrew Jackson bred and raced horses, stabling several at the White House; and Zachary Taylor grazed his beloved warhorse on the White House lawn. But Ulysses S. Grant is considered by many to be the most skilled horseman to ever occupy the Oval Office.

Even as a small boy, Grant’s connection with horses was obvious. There are numerous stories of young Ulysses breaking in horses nobody else could ride and doing daredevil stunts on horseback. By age five, he was an accomplished and daring rider, known for standing on one leg while maintaining his balance at a gallop. His mother was heard to say, “Horses seem to understand Ulysses.” 

Throughout adulthood, Grant continued to ride, train, and care for horses. For him, riding was more than a pastime – it was a form of discipline and excellence.  When he attended West Point, his riding abilities were legendary. Fellow cadet James Longstreet described Grant’s skills: “In horsemanship…he was noted as the most proficient in the Academy. In fact, rider and horse held together like the fabled centaur.” 

During the Civil War, riding was Grant’s preferred means of transportation since he found it a useful way to scout the terrain. His most famous horse, Cincinnati, was given to him as a gift after the Battle of Chattanooga and quickly became his favorite. (The horse was the son of Lexington, at one time the fastest four-mile thoroughbred in the country.) Cincinnati was a reliable warhorse, remaining even tempered during the fiercest of battles, and Grant continued to own him until the horse’s death of old age.

Courtesy NPS.

After the war, Grant turned to horse breeding. In 1866 he bought the 860-acre White Haven estate outside St. Louis from his wife’s family, primarily to breed and raise horses. To do this, he needed to convert the bulk of the land from fruits and vegetables to grass and hay to provide feed for the horses. He wrote his caretaker: “I want to get all the ground in grass as soon as it can be got rich enough, except what will be in fruit.”

Original stable at White Haven.

In 1871, he also designed and built a large stable that could accommodate 25 horses, including his beloved trotters, thoroughbreds, and Morgans. Today, the stable remains standing and serves as the museum at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. 

Grant’s breeding farm produced a number of very fine horses, which in 1873 were valued at $25,000 ($675,000 in today’s dollars). And yet the operation was barely turning a profit. Grant decided to shut down the farm and put its resources to auction in 1875. He lost the farm when he was swindled by a New York City business partner in 1884. 

Today, the last ten acres of Grant’s horse farm constitute Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.

Currier & Ives print, 1885.

A Treasure Trove of St. Louis History Re-opens

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Are you a researcher, writer, or just plain old history buff wanting to learn more about the origins of Gateway Arch National Park, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or the early history of St. Louis? Well, the park just made it easier to find what you’re looking for. Starting tomorrow, the park will open its new Archives Reading Room at the Gateway Arch National Park Research Center in downtown St. Louis. 

Courtesy of NPS.

The park’s comprehensive collections include thousands of books, manuscripts, audio recordings, images, objects, and papers. They pertain to the history of the park, the nation’s westward expansion, the design and construction of the Gateway Arch, and St. Louis history. Researchers can access such diverse holdings as records pertaining to widows of Indian wars; as early directories of St. Louis business; documents on the fur trade; and maps, newspaper articles, brochures, engravings, letters and other materials relating to western forts, camps, and trading posts. 

Left: Construction of Eads Bridge, early 1870s. Right: Washington Ave. near Arch garage during 1993 flood. Courtesy of NPS.

The park’s Visual Image Collection alone contains more than 20,000 slides and 8,000 photographs on subjects as wide-ranging as the construction of the Gateway Arch, the early days of the Old Courthouse, and the historic St. Louis Flood of 1993. (Though the images cannot be loaned out, many may be reproduced for purchase, subject to copyright regulation.) 

Then there is the Gateway Arch National Park Oral History Project, a collection of audio interviews with former park employees and others who have played an important role in the history of the Gateway Arch. And of course, there are priceless artifacts from the past such as wagons, stoves, tools, and other remnants from history.

Courtesy of NPS.

This extensive collection of documents and artifacts is accessible to the public for the first time in more than five years. The original archives room was located inside the Old Courthouse, but the National Park Service determined the historic building’s structural integrity would no longer be a safe home for the collection because of its weight. Park staff worked closely with JNPA and the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to locate a new home for the archives. They eventually re-located the holdings to the ground floor of the historic Old Post Office building in downtown St. Louis.

Custom mural by local artist Jillian Kaye.

A fun new addition to the Archives Reading Room is a custom mural by local artist Jillian Kaye, who won a recent design competition hosted by JNPA. The mural on the reading room wall uses postage stamp designs (a nod to the Old Post Office site) that depict various themes from the park’s history.

JNPA is also proud to have supported the Research Center in other ways, including purchasing document cases, furniture, and other supplies.

Researchers are welcome to use archival materials within the park’s Research Center Reading Room. Access to materials is dependent upon physical condition, copyright, and other factors. To inquire about researching the collection or to set up a research appointment, fill out the online contact form on this page or email the park Archivist Katherine Terry to make an appointment.  

Birds of a Feather

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You don’t have to be a birdwatcher to appreciate the need for preserving our feathered friends. Beyond their beauty and fascinating behaviors, birds are critical components of nearly every ecosystem on Earth. They play many roles – as predators, prey, scavengers, seed dispersers, and pollinators. They also respond quickly to changes in their surroundings, making them good indicators of environmental conditions. Monitoring bird population numbers is an important way for biologists to assess the health of local habitats. 

The National Park Service regularly monitors birds at many of its parks, both to study the wellbeing of its sites and to monitor the effects of climate change and other human-caused disruptions. These efforts provide crucial conservation data, helping park managers improve the health and function of their sites’ habitats. 

NPS biologists have been monitoring songbird populations at Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota since 1995, conducting annual songbird surveys each June at 60 different points across the vast park. More than 100 species of songbirds have been documented there.

The six most common were the ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, Nashville warbler, white-throated sparrow, and blue jay, in that order. Many birds, such as the white-throated sparrow and the Canada jay, find their way to the park from conifer forests extending all the way to the Arctic.  

But the bird surveys at Voyageurs are showing mixed results. The white-throated sparrow has shown a 49% decline in observations since 2019, followed by a 22% decline in ovenbird observations.

In fact, the total number of individuals of all species recorded in Voyageurs is down 21% from 2020 to 2025. Species richness, or the number of species recorded, is down 7% over the same period. Some of this can be explained by missing some survey locations due to inclement weather, and limited time and/or personnel to conduct the surveys.

On a more positive note, the black-throated blue warbler, blue-headed vireo, and wood thrush are showing the highest increases in observations over the last five years, all of them over 200%. Biologists are still assessing the reasons behind these fluctuations.  

Researchers also predict a good news/bad news scenario in the future. One NPS study analyzing two different climate scenarios predicted a high turnover of species in the park by mid-century (2041–2070) if the nation continues on its current path of rising greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, two of the most common species at Voyageurs today – the red-breasted nuthatch and the white-throated sparrow – are predicted to disappear from the park by mid-century, while the nuthatch may only appear during the winter months. 


Meanwhile, the populations of birds more commonly found in open country and residential areas such as the blue jay, American goldfinch, Baltimore oriole, and common grackle are predicted to improve, and additional species are expected to move in.

The situation for bird life is comparable at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in Minnesota. NPS researchers there annually conduct songbird surveys at 49 locations scattered among nine city, county, and regional parks in the 72-mile length of the national park boundary. A total of 88 species has been documented, (an average of 62 species per year) since the studies began in 2015. 

The black-capped chickadee was the most densely populated species in the park followed by American goldfinch and American robin (84 birds/mi2). Populations of the Eastern wood-pewee are also on the rise.  

But scientists are tracking the small declines in insect-eating birds like warblers and flycatchers, as well as other species. They are also concerned that the effects of climate change may cause a decrease in the numbers of goldfinches and robins in the summer, though they’re predicted to fare better in the winter.  

This Twin Cities park and its surrounding areas benefit from their position along the Mississippi River, one of North America’s four major flyways for migrating birds. An estimated 325 bird species use this route twice a year, flying between their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern U.S. and their wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico and in Central and South America. 

The rich diversity of habitats along the Mississippi River valley are a haven for many birds who stay for the summer to nest and raise young. It is little wonder that this large, south-flowing river forms the core of one of North America’s great flyways and offers birders wonderful opportunities to observe a wide variety of species.

It’s doubtful that a day will come when songbirds are completely absent from our national parks. They will continue to enchant us with their song, though some of the future performers may be new.

If you’re interested in identifying birds that you see in the wild, or just in your own backyard, the National Park Service can help. Check out this simple identification key that can help you recognize just who you’ve spotted, and will link you to more information about your feathered friends.

The Many Meanings of Spirit Mound

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Many of our national parks contain places that have special significance to Native American tribes. One such sacred site lies within Missouri National Recreational River: Spirit Mound.

This gently sloping natural hill rises from a broad plain near present-day Vermillion, South Dakota. Geologists say the mound is a remnant of bedrock that was not eroded away by Ice Age glaciers. Whatever its origins, the mound has taken on a variety of cultural meanings reflecting the wide-ranging beliefs of our diverse American population. 

Long before white traders and explorers arrived in the northern plains, this little hill was held in awe by the Indigenous peoples who inhabited the area. The Sioux, the Omaha, and the Otoes believed the mound was occupied by spirits that would kill any human who came near.  

According to Lakota oral traditions, the Spirit Mound was home to a group of small people called Can O’ti na, or Little Tree Dwellers. The Can O’ti na sometimes behaved mischievously and played tricks on humans. They could also serve as spiritual helpers. 

William Clark’s map identified Spirit Mound as: “This place called by the Indians Hill of the little Devils.”  (Courtesy NPS)

So mysterious were these stories that the explorers Lewis and Clark made a rare nine-mile detour from their Missouri River explorations in 1804 so they could see the mound for themselves. On August 24th, Clark wrote:

Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and a small group of their expedition approaching the Hill of Little Devils (now known as Spirit Mound) in late August of 1804. (Courtesy NPS)

When the Corps of Discovery ascended to the top of the mound, it was one of the first times they were able to comprehend the wide expanse of the Great Plains landscape. Clark described the panoramic view from the top:

While the little mound was clearly just a unique geological formation to white explorers, it continued to carry a special meaning for Native tribes, many of whom still have spiritual ties to the place. Lakota ceremonies today, for instance, still include the Little Tree Dweller’s Medicine Bundle. This important medicine traces its origins to Spirit Mound.

Courtesy NPS

The mound was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. If you visit Missouri National Recreational River, you can see Spirit Mound for yourself thanks to the development of a walking trail to the top. The state of South Dakota (with help of the National Park Service and the Spirit Mound Trust) purchased a 160-acre tract of surrounding land in 2002 with the intention of restoring the site to the prairie landscape that Lewis and Clark saw over 200 years ago. Today, Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is a prairie restoration project in progress. 

Go Fish! 🎣

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If your idea of a perfect way to spend a day outdoors is dropping a line in a stream or lake and seeing what bites, then you’ll want to check out the great fishing opportunities at our national parks. More than 200 sites in the National Park Service offer recreational fishing for the general public, including fly fishing, casting, bait fishing, trolling, and even ice fishing (brrrr!).

Of course, since fishing can affect local animal populations, each national park site regulates the fishing activities within its borders, usually by conforming with the regulations of the state where the park is located. Before setting out, it’s wise to check a park’s regulations, including learning what permits might be needed and where to find the best fishing spots. By following the park’s rules, such as practicing catch and release fishing of native fish, anglers can help ensure that native fish in our national parks will be enjoyed for generations to come.

A number of JNPA’s partner parks offer visitors a chance to fish their waters: 

 Voyageurs National Park has many options for both aspiring and experienced anglers. Fish abound in the park’s 30 named lakes, which consist of four large lakes and 26 smaller interior lakes. So far 54 fish species have been identified in the park’s aquatic habitats. Some of the better-known are walleye, sauger, Northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie.   

And if winter fishing is your thing, Voyageurs is a must-visit. Rugged piney shorelines, ultra-quiet conditions, and PLENTY of lake ice make the park an ice angler’s dream. Always check the park’s ice conditions before setting out and review the rules about placement of icehouses.

You can also put your angling skills to the test at Missouri National Recreational River. Walleye, sauger, paddlefish, and many more game species are waiting within the two reaches of the Missouri River, 20 miles of the lower Niobrara River, and eight miles of the lower Verdigre Creek. Since most of the park lies on the state boundary between Nebraska and South Dakota, you should be aware of license information and regulations for both states. 

The great fishing opportunities near the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center attract thousands of anglers year-round. The park’s website lists the prime fishing spots and seasons where anglers can find their favorite fish species. Accessible fishing piers are located on the south shore of Lake Yankton and in the Nebraska Tailwaters area. There are separate regulations for residents and non-residents of South Dakota and Nebraska, so be sure to check before you go.

Learn about endangered and threatened species, historical information, or water safety and reservoir navigation with the Lewis and Clark Lake Gavins Point Dam Boating and Recreation Guide. You can pick up a copy at the site, or order it from JPNA’s online store.

There are plenty of locations for both boat-fishing and shoreline fishing within Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The Mississippi River in the northern suburbs and further north is a nationally recognized smallmouth bass fishery. Walleyes are plentiful below Lock and Dam #1. And floodplain lakes contain trout, panfish, northern pike, and largemouth bass. The park’s website offers more suggested fishing locations. 

To get kids involved, park rangers hold fishing clinics at certain times of the year. Younger anglers who complete the clinic can earn a Junior Ranger Angler Badge as well as their own fishing kit. 

Speaking of kids, the NPS Junior Ranger Angler program is a perfect way to get youngsters interested in the sport. Many national park sites that permit fishing offer the program’s special activity booklet as well as Junior Ranger Angler badges. You can find participating parks on the National Park Service Fish & Fishing website.

Did Mark Twain Help Ulysses S. Grant Write His Memoirs?

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The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant are considered one of the best military commentaries ever written. Yet rumors persisted for many years that Mark Twain helped write and edit them. Detractors doubted that the lucid prose used in the papers couldn’t possibly have been penned by the former president. However, the claim – first suggested by a disgruntled aide to Grant – proved untrue. The original hand-written manuscript still survives and is entirely penned in Grant’s own handwriting. What’s more, though the two men were indeed friends, Twain was not even involved with the project when Grant began writing.

In 1884, near the end of his life, Grant was struck by financial disaster. He had invested most of his assets with a firm headed by one of his sons, which was later involved in a scam that lost all of the investors’ money. Now broke and with no source of income on the horizon, Grant was concerned about providing for his beloved wife Julia. He reluctantly accepted an offer from a magazine to write articles about his experiences during the Civil War and soon decided to turn the effort into writing his personal memoirs. Although the magazine offered to publish the memoirs, his friend Mark Twain made him a much more lucrative offer through Twain’s own publishing company. Grant eventually accepted Twain’s offer, hoping the memoirs could secure Julia’s financial future.

At about this time, the former president was diagnosed with advanced throat cancer, no doubt a result of his lifelong cigar habit. He was left in near-constant pain, unable to drink or sleep. Yet from his sickbed he churned out page after page. Twain was a frequent visitor, proof-reading the manuscript and sometimes passing notes back and forth when Grant was eventually unable to even speak.   

Grant’s last days were spent on his porch with pencil and paper, wrapped in blankets, determined to finish his memoirs before he succumbed to his disease. He completed his memoirs just days before his death on July 23, 1885. 

The book was sold in two volumes and became an instant bestseller. Twain said that the book was one of the best written he had ever seen. The publisher presented a check for $200,000 to Julia Dent Grant in early 1886 – the biggest royalty check written up to that time. Grant’s Personal Memoirs are still in print today and are often considered one of the best written ever produced by a former president.

You can purchase your own copy of the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant online or in person at our gift shops at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site and Gateway Arch National Park.